Rotary Club celebrates 10 years of making music with Saginaw on Stage

View full sizeThe Saginaw Elite Big Band performs "In the Mood" during the 9th annual Saginaw on Stage at Apple Mountain in Thomas Township. More than 30 bands will again play five stages at the 10th annual event March 30.

THOMAS TOWNSHIP, MI – Soaking up the sun in Florida, Bill Koepke wanted to stress an important point about the 10th annual Saginaw on Stage coming Saturday, March 30, to the Apple Mountain Resort.

“Shuttles will make the rounds of the parking areas,” the event coordinator said after hearing of Saginaw’s latest snowfall. “With Easter coming early this year, we’re prepared for anything.”

So concertgoers can focus on how to catch more than 30 bands performing through the night on five stages from 4 to 11 p.m. around the complex at 4519 N. River.

Hint: Don’t try.

You’ll drive yourself crazy making choices between the Robert Lee Revue, Brush Street with Brass and Strings, Sprout, Eastside Mike and Friends or Siusan O’Rourke and Zig Zeitler, recent runners-up in the international Irish Music Awards.

“The bands volunteer their time and that’s why we have it on the Saturday before Easter,” said honorary chairperson Dave Oppermann. “It’s a slow weekend so they don’t have to give up paying jobs to be here.”

Saginaw on Stage started at the Temple Theatre in Saginaw with bands performing one after another on a single stage, he said. Then came a move to Horizons Conference Center and finally to Apple Mountain.

Oppermann’s New Reformation Band returns this year, along with Laurie Middlebrook, Equinox and Bob Barcalow and Eva Stone, to name a few.

“We’ve had a lot of big names through the years, Stewart Francke, Sharrie Williams, Question Mark and the Mysterians, Dick Wagner and Ryan DeHues,” he added.

Hidden gems in this year’s mix, said talent scout Eric “Red Hawkins” De Vos, include bass player Ryan Fitzgerald, performing with four ensembles, and Bob Buchanan, who played with the New Christy Minstrels in the 1960s, will perform with the White Crow line-up in the chapel.

“He also co-wrote ‘Hickory Wind’ with Gram Parsons,” De Vos said.

New this year is Todd’s Theatrical Picks, created by the Rev. Todd Farley from First Congregational Church, who was trained in mime by the famous Marcel Marceau.

“I’d still like a little more diversity,” De Vos said. “We need some straight-ahead blues.”

This year’s proceeds will benefit local and global efforts, including a community project that will coincide with the Rotary Club of Saginaw’s upcoming 100th anniversary.

“I don’t want to spill the beans, but a lot of time has gone into this, and it’s going to take a lot more,” he said. “This will be a community centerpiece.”

Saginaw on Stage tickets, $20 for adults and $5 for students in advance, and $25 for adults and $10 for students at the door, are available at Saginaw Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 315 W. Holland; White Crow Conservatory of Music , 3736 Mackinaw in Saginaw, and Westside Decorating, 5789 State in Saginaw Township, or by calling 989-776-9425.

Buffet dinners are served from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for an additional $12. Go to saginawrotary.org for more information.